Ed Christian's World

God’s Eagle: Guidance and Growth…

There’s a beautiful and evocative image from Deuteronomy! It paints a powerful picture of God’s care and guidance for His people.

He was like an eagle hovering over its nest, overshadowing its young, Then spreading its wings, lifting them into the air, teaching them to fly.  Deuteronomy 32:11, MSG

Think about that eagle for a moment. It doesn’t just passively watch over its young. It actively engages in their growth. First, there’s that sense of protection, the overshadowing presence offering security and safety. Just like God’s constant presence shields us from harm and worry.

But the eagle’s love doesn’t stop at mere protection. It knows that true flourishing comes from learning to soar. So, it stirs up the nest, making it uncomfortable enough for the young to want to leave. Then comes the incredible act of lifting them into the air. Imagine the vulnerability of those young eaglets, suddenly suspended above the ground! Yet, they are held securely by the strength of their parent’s wings.

This is so much like our journey with God. He provides comfort and security, but He also gently pushes us out of our comfort zones. He challenges us to grow, to step out in faith, knowing that He will be there to support us, just like the eagle beneath its young. The initial moments might feel scary and uncertain.

We might feel like we’re flailing, unsure of our own abilities. But it’s in that very act of being lifted and guided that we learn to use our own wings to discover the strength and potential God has placed within us. He teaches us to navigate the currents of life, to rise above challenges, and to experience the freedom of flying.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for Your constant presence in our lives, a shadow of protection and a source of unwavering strength. We acknowledge that Your love doesn’t always look like ease and comfort, but rather a guiding hand that pushes us towards growth. Give us the courage to trust Your leading, even when it feels unsettling. Help us to embrace the challenges that come our way, knowing that You are beneath us, supporting us as we learn to soar. May we always remember that it is in Your strength that we find our wings. Amen.

Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Remembrance, Sacrifice, and Unity…

“This do in remembrance of me.” These simple yet profound words, spoken by Jesus during the Last Supper, echo through the centuries, inviting us into a sacred act of remembrance. But what does it truly mean to “do this in remembrance”? It’s more than just a ritual; it’s an invitation to engage our entire being in recalling the sacrifice and love of our Savior.

This do in remembrance of me. — 1 Corinthians 11:24

When we partake in communion, we aren’t merely going through the motions. We are stepping into a living memorial. The bread, broken and shared, becomes a tangible reminder of Jesus’ body, broken for us on the cross. The cup, filled and offered, symbolizes the new covenant established by his blood, poured out for the forgiveness of sins.

This act of remembrance calls us to more than just intellectual recall. It invites us to a heartfelt connection with the events of the Passion. We are asked to reflect on the immense love that compelled Jesus to endure suffering and death.

We are invited to consider the weight of our sins that necessitated such a sacrifice. In this remembrance, gratitude and humility intertwine. Furthermore, “do this” is an active command. It’s not a passive reflection but an ongoing practice.

It calls us to live our lives in a way that honors the sacrifice made for us. It challenges us to extend the love and forgiveness we have received to others. Our daily actions, our interactions, and our very beings can become an ongoing testament to the transformative power of Christ’s sacrifice.

This act of remembrance also fosters unity within the body of Christ. As we partake of the one bread and the one cup, we are reminded that we are all partakers of the same grace, bound together by the love of our Lord. It’s a shared experience that transcends individual differences and strengthens the bonds of our faith community.

Let us not approach this sacred meal lightly. Let us come with hearts open to remembrance, gratitude, and a renewed commitment to live lives worthy of the sacrifice made for us.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of remembrance, for the opportunity to continually draw near to the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus Christ. As we partake in this sacred meal, open our hearts to a deeper understanding of his love and the cost of our redemption. Help us not only to remember the events of the past but to live in the light of that sacrifice, extending your love and grace to those around us. Strengthen our unity as your body, and empower us to live lives that truly honor the memory of our Savior. Amen.

Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone but in every leaf in springtime.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Quiet Strengths…

The world doesn’t often celebrate humility, gentleness, or patience. But heaven does. And so does the heart that’s been shaped by grace. Let this verse remind you today that love isn’t loud—it’s steady, kind, and beautifully strong.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.  Ephesians 4:2

The virtues in Ephesians 4:2 aren’t what our culture celebrates. We rarely see headlines about someone’s remarkable patience or exceptional humility. Yet these quiet strengths reshape the world from the inside out.

Humility sees others clearly because it isn’t blinded by self-importance. Gentleness offers safety where harshness only creates fear. Patience gives people room to grow at their own pace. And bearing with one another in love? That’s choosing to remain present even when every instinct says to withdraw.

These qualities reveal themselves in ordinary moments—the considerate word when you’re exhausted, the gentle response to someone’s sharp comment, the patient listening when you could interrupt. Small choices that reveal an extraordinary heart.

What makes these virtues revolutionary isn’t their flashiness but their sustainability. While anger burns hot and fades, gentleness endures. While pride rises and falls, humility creates lasting connections.

Today, notice the opportunities to practice these quiet strengths. They may feel small, but they’re changing you—and through you, changing your corner of the world. This is how Christ’s kingdom comes: not with trumpets but with transformed hearts.

Dear Father, Sometimes it’s easier to be sharp than gentle, quicker to react than to stay and love. But my heart longs to walk in Your ways.
Slow me down today. Open my eyes to truly see the people You’ve placed around me. Grow humility where pride wants to rise. Soften my words when frustration stirs. Plant patience deep when I want to rush ahead. And when love feels costly, help me choose it—just like You chose me. Shape my heart to mirror Yours. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

The greatest thing a man can do for his Heavenly Father is to be kind to some of His other children.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Open Heart – Devine Dwelling….

The gentle yet persistent knock at the door of your heart echoes the profound invitation: “If any man hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him.” This isn’t a casual visit being offered, but the yearning of divine love to intimately reside within the very core of your being.

Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.  Revelation 3:20

Do you, in the stillness of this evening, feel a stirring towards the celestial? Does your spirit yearn to delve into the profound mysteries of everlasting affection to experience an unburdened communion with the Almighty?

Perhaps a deep-seated longing stirs within you to comprehend the immeasurable dimensions of divine grace – its soaring heights, its unfathomable depths, its boundless lengths, and its encompassing breadths. If this resonates within your soul, then the path lies in drawing ever closer to Jesus.

It necessitates a clear and unwavering vision of His exquisite worth and perfect completeness, a contemplation of His redemptive work, the significance of His sacred offices, and the glorious reality of His very person. For it is in truly understanding Christ that the soul receives an anointing from the Holy One, an anointing that unlocks the very knowledge of God.

Christ stands as the ultimate key, capable of unlocking every sacred chamber within the divine treasury. No storehouse of God’s infinite riches remains sealed to the soul that cultivates a life in close proximity to Jesus. Do you whisper within the depths of your heart, “Oh, that He would make His abode within me? Would that my very being could become His eternal dwelling place?”

Beloved, fling open the doors of your soul without reservation, and He will surely enter. He has patiently stood at the threshold, His knocking motivated by a desire for intimate fellowship – that He might sup with you, and you with Him.

He shares this sacred meal with you because you offer the sanctuary of your heart, while you partake with Him because He Himself brings the very sustenance your soul requires. Without your open heart, He could not enter; without His divine provision, your inner being remains spiritually impoverished. Therefore, cast wide the portals of your soul.

He will arrive bearing the very love for which your heart aches. He will usher in a joy that your weary spirit cannot conjure on its own. He will bestow a peace that currently eludes your grasp. He comes laden with flagons of celestial wine and the sweet, revitalizing apples of divine affection, ready to revive you until your only ailment is the sweet surrender of “love overpowering, love divine.”

Only grant Him entry. Expel the adversaries that would keep Him at bay. Entrust Him with the keys to your innermost being, and He will establish His eternal residence within you. Oh, the breathtaking wonder of a love that would bring such a magnificent Guest to dwell within a humble heart!

Heavenly Father, in the quiet of this evening, we acknowledge the gentle yet powerful invitation of your Son. We confess that often the doors of our hearts are heavy with the dust of the world, cluttered with our own desires and fears. We pray for the courage and the grace to fling them wide open, to welcome the King of Glory into the deepest chambers of our souls. Grant us a hunger for the heights and depths of your love, a longing for intimate communion with you. May we truly understand the preciousness and completeness of Christ, that through Him, we may know you more fully. Make our hearts your dwelling place, O Lord, now and forevermore. Amen.

The heart that has no secret corners for Christ to retire into in times of trouble and sorrow is a heart that does not know Him well.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Seeking God With A Whole Heart…

This verse from Jeremiah, doesn’t it just resonate deep within? “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” It’s a promise, a profound invitation, and a gentle challenge all wrapped into one.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  Jeremiah 29:13

Think about that for a moment. It doesn’t say we’ll find Him if we seek half-heartedly, or when it’s convenient, or when all other options have been exhausted. No, it’s a wholehearted pursuit that unlocks the door to finding the Divine.

In our busy lives, fragmented attention seems to be the norm. We juggle tasks, scroll through feeds, and our minds often flit from one thing to the next. Even in our spiritual lives, we can sometimes approach God with a divided heart, our focus split between our desires, our worries, and perhaps a genuine longing for something more. But this verse calls us to a different kind of seeking – one that engages our entire being.

What does it mean to seek with all our heart? It means more than just uttering prayers or attending services. It implies a deep yearning, a persistent hunger, a relentless desire to know

God intimately. It involves aligning our thoughts, our actions, and our deepest intentions with that pursuit. It means being willing to let go of distractions, to examine our motives, and to surrender our whole selves to the journey.

This kind of seeking isn’t always easy. It can be uncomfortable, even painful, as it may require us to confront our own shortcomings and the areas in our lives where our hearts are divided. But the promise is clear: the effort is not in vain.

When our desire for God becomes the driving force of our lives, when it eclipses all other pursuits, then we will indeed find Him. He is not hiding; He is waiting to be found by a heart fully devoted to the search.

Heavenly Father, we confess that our hearts are often divided. We are pulled in so many directions, and our attention is easily scattered. Forgive us for the times we have sought you with only a fraction of our being. Ignite within us a true and unwavering hunger for your presence. Help us to shed the distractions that keep us from you and cultivate a single-minded devotion in our pursuit of you. May our every thought, word, and deed be a testament to our wholehearted desire to know you more deeply. Thank you for your promise that when we seek you with all our hearts, we will surely find you. In your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Don’t shine so that others can see you. Shine so that through you, others can see Him.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Kindness Creates a Ripple Effect…

It’s amazing how a simple act of kindness, like letting someone merge in traffic, can create a ripple effect. It truly shows how interconnected we are and how our actions, big or small, can influence those around us.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.   Matthew 5:7

Let’s take that to heart today by consciously choosing to extend love to our enemies, reach out to those we don’t know, and do good even when it’s not expected. By being that light, we can illuminate the world around us.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that our lives have meaning and that our actions have the power to impact the world. Give us the strength and courage to go against the grain, to show mercy and kindness even when it’s difficult. Help us to be a beacon of your light in the darkness, reflecting your love to those around us. May our actions inspire others to do the same, creating a wave of compassion and understanding. Amen.

Be the change that you wish to see in the world.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

The Steadfast Heart…

Life inevitably throws challenges our way. There will be moments of doubt, fatigue, and the temptation to simply give up. We might pour our energy into a project, a relationship, or a personal goal, only to face setbacks and feel like our efforts are in vain.

In those times, the words of 2 Chronicles 15:7 ring with profound encouragement: “But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.”

This isn’t a passive encouragement; it’s an active call to strength. It reminds us that within us lies a wellspring of resilience, waiting to be tapped. It acknowledges the reality of hard work, the effort we invest in our endeavors, and assures us that this effort is not unseen or without purpose.

Think of the times you’ve persevered through difficulty. Remember the satisfaction of finally overcoming an obstacle, the quiet triumph of seeing your efforts bear fruit. This verse whispers that those experiences are not isolated incidents but a promise woven into the fabric of life. It suggests a divine accounting, a recognition of the dedication we bring to our tasks, both big and small.

So, when weariness creeps in and the path ahead seems daunting, let this verse be your anchor. Draw strength from the assurance that your steadfastness matters and that a reward, in its many forms, awaits.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the reminder that strength resides within us and that our efforts are not in vain. When we feel discouraged and the urge to give up is strong, help us to remember this promise. Grant us the courage to persevere, the resilience to face challenges, and the faith to trust that our work, done with integrity and dedication, will indeed be rewarded in your perfect timing and way. Amen.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Avoiding Temptations Door –  A Prayer…

The Book of Proverbs offers profound insight into overcoming sin, particularly in its warnings against adultery. But the true key lies in the proactive wisdom of Proverbs 5:8: “Stay far away from her door.” This isn’t just about avoiding the sin itself, but about strategically avoiding the very circumstances that could lead us there.

If God has rescued the righteous from trials and will hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.  2 Peter 2:9

Think of it: a door holds no power to tempt or pressure us. The struggle lies in the encounter beyond it. Therefore, true victory over temptation often comes down to identifying and deliberately avoiding the “doors” in our lives – those places, relationships, thoughts, or media that could lure us away from righteousness.

By staying far from these initial points of access, we shield ourselves from the full force of temptation and create space for God’s grace to work in our lives.

Heavenly Father, we thank you for the wisdom found in your Word, particularly the practical guidance to avoid the very doorways of temptation. Grant us the discernment to recognize these “doors” in our own lives, whether they be places, relationships, habits, or thoughts that could lead us astray. Give us the strength and resolve to stay far from them, creating distance between ourselves and the potential for sin. May we actively participate in your rescue by choosing paths that honor you. Strengthen our resolve to guard our hearts and minds, and lead us in the way of righteousness. Amen.

Be killing sin, or it will be killing you. This powerful statement underscores the active role we must play in combating sin.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Embracing Jesus’s Unshakable Joy…

Good morning!

As we awaken to this new day, let’s take a moment to breathe deeply and remember a truth that transcends our circumstances: the joy Jesus offers is a constant, an anchor in the storms of life.

It isn’t dependent on fleeting moments but resides within us, ready to flood our hearts.
Jesus Himself declared, ‘These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.’  –  John 15:11

Imagine the weight and the wonder of those words spoken in the Upper Room. Knowing the immense suffering that lay ahead, Jesus spoke not of escape but of a deep, complete joy He desired for His followers.

This joy isn’t a mere emotion; it is the very presence of Jesus, living within us through the Holy Spirit. It’s the same joy that empowered His unwavering obedience to the Father, sustained Him through the agony of betrayal and death, and erupted in the triumph of the resurrection.

When Jesus shares His joy, He invites us into the very heart of the divine. It’s a joy rooted in perfect love, absolute trust, and an eternal purpose. This joy doesn’t diminish our pain or ignore our struggles; instead, it reframes them, allowing them to become powerful testimonies to God’s unfailing love and strength.

In a world yearning for lasting happiness, we carry within us this very treasure. Today, whether we face triumphs or setbacks, laughter, or tears, may we consciously embrace the complete joy that Jesus offers. It’s not reserved for perfect days, but it is a gift for this very moment—for each of us, exactly as we are.

Loving Father, we thank You for the immeasurable gift of Your unshakeable joy. Even when life feels uncertain or overwhelming, remind us that Your joy is a vibrant presence within us, steadfast and true. When our hearts feel heavy, draw our gaze to You. Let Your joy be the melody that carries us through difficulties and the radiant light that illuminates our blessings. Help us to share this transformative joy with everyone we encounter. May it overflow in our acts of love, in the words we speak, and in the peace we extend. May Your joy permeate every aspect of our day, reflecting Your boundless love to the world around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Joy is the serious business of Heaven. Let us live in that serious, heavenly joy today, knowing it is our strength, our peace, and our enduring hope.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼

Actions Speak Louder Than Words…

There’s a powerful reflection on the congruence between our words and our lives. It beautifully illustrates how our actions, when stripped of verbal explanations, can reveal the true narrative of our hearts.

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.  Ephesians 5:8

Imagine hitting that mute button on your life. The everyday choices, the unseen interactions, the consistent habits – these become the loudest indicators of what truly matters to us. Without the ability to articulate our intentions or beliefs, our lives themselves become the message. Do they echo the love and transformative power of God? Do our actions consistently point towards the light we claim to follow?

This “mute button” test can be a profound moment of truth. If what we see in the silence doesn’t align with the message we intend to convey, it’s an invitation to realign. It’s a call to bridge the gap between our spoken faith and our lived reality, allowing our lives to become a consistent testament, whether words are present or not.

Let’s turn on that metaphorical mute button today and honestly assess the story our lives are telling. If it falls short, let’s be courageous enough to make the changes needed so that every aspect of our being consistently honors the Lord.

Heavenly Father, we ask for the courage to honestly examine our lives, as if under a silent gaze. Reveal to us any inconsistencies between our words and our actions. Grant us the wisdom to understand what needs to change and the strength to pursue a life that authentically reflects your love and light. May our daily living, both seen and unseen, speak volumes of your grace and transforming power. Amen.

Let your life be your argument. It needs no lawyer to plead before the judge; fact speaks for itself.

Walk daily with God at your side!

Love always,

Ed 🙏🏼